Latino GLBT History Project elects new officers

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Elected March 21st by the board of directors, they will focus on preserving and educating the public about the rich history of the Latino LGBT community in Washington. Their two-year term will start just as LHP prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary next month.

Jose Plaza, national director for Latino Engagement for Enroll America and an associate board member for the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), will become LHP’s new president. He replaces longtime leader David Perez, who will continue to be actively involved in the organization by serving on its development and archives committees of the board of directors. Plaza joined LHP in 2013 and helped co-chair the 7th Annual DC Latino Pride celebration that year.

“It is with great excitement that I take on this leadership role alongside my fellow LHP Board Members,” Plaza said in a statement. “LHP, and the work of its founder Jose Gutierrez, has been a consistent voice for Latinos in the Washington, D.C. area for the past fifteen years. Under David M. Perez’ leadership, this organization has provided the D.C. community and partners across the country a model of activism, Latino engagement, and bringing to light the profile of amazing Latino GLBT leaders. I look forward to an amazing year, working with existing partners, and forging new and lasting relationships with the D.C. community.”

Alexa Elizabeth Rodriguez, the current vice president, was re-elected to her post after serving as second-in-command for the past two years. Rodriguez is mostly known for her work with Mi Nueva Familia, a working group in her native El Salvador for people living with HIV and transgender women, as well as HIV/STI prevention education with groups like Identity, the Mariposas transgender group at La Clínica del Pueblo, Casa de Maryland, and the ¡Empoderáte! Youth Center at La Clínica del Pueblo. Rodriguez also serves on the board of directors for the TransLatina Coalition.

David Pazmiño, a local civil rights advocate who is pursuing a law degree and has worked on behalf of equality initiatives benefiting the immigrant, LGBT, and people with disabilities communities in the United States, was elected secretary of LHP after previously serving as a volunteer.

LHP’s new leadership team will have a short window of time to adjust to their positions, as LHP has its fourth annual “Mujeres en el Movimiento” happy hour and awards reception, which recognizes the major contributions of LBT Latina women on behalf of the community, scheduled for Thursday, April 9th. Other major events that the organization will be planning this year include the ninth anniversary of DC Latino Pride, which consists of both an informational and educational forum and a dance party, and the 10th annual Hispanic LGBTQ Heritage Awards, which are awarded each fall.

LHP’s “Mujeres en el Movimiento” happy hour and awards reception will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Jin, 2017 14th St. NW. For more information, or to RSVP, visit latinoglbthistory.org/women.